National Republican., 1887-12-06

miseioners was far enough completed yes
terday to allow It to be made public, and
the recommendations made are of great in
terest tn the people. The report, when
completed, will be presented to the Presl-
dent by the commissioners In person. The
introduction refers to the various orders
issued by the commissioners which were
found needful. In some instances they
caused Misunderstanding to arise on the
part Of the people, but the effect when
seen, they thought caused a favorable
cbtnee 10 take place.
They state that the total receipts have
been $5,022, 264.46, and expenditures ST.
SOS 92, and the District debt is showi to
be SIC, 1856, ,020.1S. The water supply debt
which 10 to be paid In twenty-five INSTALL
ments is 81, ,152, ,5l3.17.
The valuation of real property is $ll1,-
a4 $50: personal property, $lO,9i3, ,45si to-
tai, S122, 2,6sS, ,2ss.
The non.taxable property is valued as
ttict, So, 30S, 772; private property exempt
by law, $G,51S, ,G34. Total, $23S, ,GJ531S.
There were 4 4,l02 licenses issued during
the yesr, ard OF this number 92, were for
retail liquor dealers, and 402 for whole
sale liquor dealers. The number OF
ubetsStu WtIt III w OUt-
siS: In Georgetown, 262G; In the suburbs,
3,i0G Total, SO $50. 1t Is recommended
that assessments be made annually, AMI
plan for the same will be prepared. The
present tax Is shown TO be ID per cent less
now than IN 1873, when the law for It's en-
forcement was enacted, and the law should
be amended, they believe, II there be no
apparent need for this source OF revenue.
Its recommended that law DO pissci re.
quiring the District recorder OF deeds to
make daily or weekly report to the c,m-
miss'oners Of all records made In his Office
The collection OF taxes amounted to S2,-
323, ,262 26. The tax collection from 1878 to
1887 has been 96.4 per cent. OF the assess
ment. Many inconsistencies In the tax
sale law are pointed out. The work done
by theattorney's and coroner's offices Is re-
ferred to. Allusion is made TO the number
Of children in the public schools and to the
construction Of nine new school buildings
during the year. A short history Of the
workings Of the police force is given, In
which Its numbers are shown and the great
territory that is covered by the few men on
duty. A station house and additional pre-
cincts is to be erected and is to be known as
the ninth by dividing the sixth precinct and
locating the same In the northeast section.
The repeal Of the army clause for appoint
ments on the poll CO force is asked for.
The erection Of an engine house in the
Tho erection OF a large municipal hospital
is urged as an immediate necessity. Tue
commissioners also allude to the various
recommendations made by the health
officer IN his report, as also to the wants of
minor Importance aeked for by other SUBJ
ordinate officers.
The coilficatlon Of the District laws are
urged, and the establishment Of four police
magistrates are also commended as being
necessary. The present police court
system is found to be cause Of complaint,
snd they recommend that 1t be made
court to hear municipal appeals. The
four magistrates are to hear cases at the
.,ation-houses.
Under the head Of water mains the COM
nissloners recommend that they be en-
powered to lay water mains when the need
Ter the same arises. Alluslon Is made to
The large amount Of uncollected water
taxes, and the water fund as now deposited
sfeems to>be satisfactory to the officials.
Z The imposition Of water tax on all per-
sons using public hydrants is recommended,
in the event that the commissioners are not
empowered to lay mains at their discretion.
In the construction OF sewers they ask
the privilege to do this work either by con-
tract or employing laborers by the day. An
increase OF the suburban sewerage Is asked
for.
The establishment OF plant for tho
burning Of street sweepings and garbage is
requested. Tue present sweeping machinery
is found to be inadequate, but must be
continued In use on account of there being
NO other kind better adapted to this char
acter of work.
The street lamps they urge should be
increased to 5000 hours burning lime. The
success Of the electric lights is already
assured, and permanent establishment OF
the same is only matter OF tune.
The offices of inspector OF gas and meters
Is recommended to be placed under one
head.
Wire netting for tree boxes is suggested
\ as q substitute for the tree box.
For better convenience and facilitating
school matters 1t is deemed best that the
District offices should be connected with
the schools by telephone. The recon-
mendation is made that the cost OF laying
underground cables be divided up between
81 G District and the various telegraph aud
lephone companies. The conduits should
be large enough to allow man to pass
through them. Legislation on this matter
is asked for. The completion OF the District
underground system is matter they think
that should be attended to at once. The
permit system has been found to be a very
workings is thought to be what the public
demands.
The extension of streets and avenues Is
discussed, and statements are made Of
what has been done during the past yelr.
The extension Of Pennsylvania avenue east
ward, from the Eastern branch bridge to
connect the Bowen road, Is In contempla-
tion. Footways aud bride paths are
recommended in connection with suburban
road improvements. The system Of inspect.
ipg the country roads has been very sue
cessful, and the continuance Of the plan
deemed good policy.
The Typographical survey Of the District
s progressing rapidly, and the value. Of
his work requires the appropriation OF a
lum of money for It's continuance.
1t is recommended that the surveyor s
pfllce be made a salaried one, and that all
he plats, maps, &C., be declared public
ecords.
The purchase of the square lying between
fourteenth and Fiftse streets and aud
streets southwest is recommended as
ecessary for the extension of the Monu
ient lot. The most prominent recon,
lendation is the purchase OF the property
o the south side OF Pennsylvania avenue
ON the capitol to Seventeenth street aud
om B north to b street south. Tue cree
on of public park in the Rock Creek
Rlley is alluded to and commended, ani
ley say that the area lying between Plney
ranch on the south, Fourteenth street
BAD on the east, Military road on the north
ld Broad Branch road and Rock creek on
10 west presents itself as naturally adapted
,r the purpose. This would give $50
res. The land AZ present is valuei at
10000. The removal II the present Long
ridge Is requested and better structure
He'd for. Recommendation Ia made for
placing and repairing the bridges over
1ck creek, and at other places. A police
d fire boat, which can also be used for
Paklng Ice, is wanted.
Under the head OF steam and street rail-
ads II Is recommended that street rail
lds be made to pay certain percentage
The District of their gross receipts, and
,authority be given the commissioners